Exhibitors Herald (Jan-Mar 1920)

IREVIEWS Wallace Re id in EXCUSE MY DUST Five-part comedy-drama; Paramount Artcraft. Directed by Sam Wood. Published on March 21. OPINION: Automobiles are becoming a habit with Wallace Reid. And whether or not speeding over boulevards and bumpy country roads, with now and then a narrow escape from death, affbrd Mr. Reid pleasant pastime, the screening of them is compelling and they contribute to another of the star's successes. Though "Excuse My Dust" at no time lacks the power to hold attention, the big action of the picture rests in the climax — a midnight automobile race from Los Angeles to San Francisco. All of the excitement of a real race has been given to the screen event. The moments are tense. And as a pilot of one of the winning cars, Mr. Reid gives a succesful portrayal. Theodore Roberts has done great work in this production. His portrayal is thorough and lends much humor to the subject. Wallace Reid, Jr.,'s, appearance will delight the women. Ann Little. Tully Marshall. Guy Oliver, Otto Brower, James Gordon. Walter Long, Jack Herbert and Fred Huntley are true in their depictments. "Excuse My Dust" is a worthy successor to 'The Roaring Road" and "Double Speed." It is a wholesome and finished production with interest for everybody. SYNOPSIS: "Toodles" Walden. former automobile racer, has promised Dorothy, his wife, to refrain from speeding. But he gives into temptation, and through the influence of Mr. Ward, "Toodles' " father-in-law, the judge deprives him of the right to pilot a car for six months. Troubleous times follow for "Toodles." He nearly runs over and kills his baby, his wife leaves him and his father-in-law's automobile busines. of which he is manager, is being plotted against by competitors. An automobile race between Los Angeles and San Francisco is planned by the competitors in the hope that they will acquire the plans of Ward's new motor. The race, a collision and an exciting finish pots "Toodles" in San Francisco, where his baby is ill. His wife forgives him and the competing company fails in its scheming. Glen White in CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE Five-part drama; Arrow. Directed by Tom Collins. Published state rights. OPINION: Featured by a sensational jail delivery, which is the climax of a series of thrilling situations. "Circumstantial Evidence" must be rated as the strongest of the first of the "Tex" series of twelve features which Arrow is publishing through the state rights market. In additon to the features of the other "Tex", stories, it has a love interest which should appeal strongly to women. The story deals with the solution of an unusual murder mystery. Suspicion points to three people. Clew after clew is run down. The spectator finds himself attempting to fathom the mystery and then at the conclusion, being taken completely by surprise. Yet, he is compelled to admit that the solution is logical and consistent. SYNOPSIS: "Tex" goes to visit aii old friend, Jack Nelson, and is cordially received by Mrs. Nelson, who also is an old acquaintance. The night he arrives, Nelson has trouble with his valet and discharges him. They have heated words. During the night Tex is awakened by a whistle and going out in the hallway meets Mrs. Nelson's maid, who is fully dressed and about to leave the house. He then retires again. In the morning Nelson is found to have been murdered. Mrs. Nelson is nearly prostrated and attempts to kill herself with the knife which has been used to stab Nelson. Tex interferes and tosses the knife from the window. When the police arrive. Tex tells of the quarrel Nelson had with the valet and also tells of meeting the maid in the hall at midnight. The maid then accuses Tex of the murder, proving that Mrs. Nelson is very fond of him and telling of his tossing the knife out of the window. On the circumstantial evidence, Tex is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. The prison catches fire, and when the guards open the cells, there is a general jail break. Tex remains, however, and saves the warden's wife and child from death. He is pardoned and starts out to clear up the mystery. He follows a series of clews but is baffled. Then Mrs. Nelson, -dying, confesses that she killed her husband in hope of being able to marry Tex. Gladys Brockwell in THE DEVIL'S RIDDLE Five-pan drama ; Fox. Directed by Frank Beal. Published in March. OPIS'ION : Intense emotional acting is required of Gladys Brockwell in this production. A story of joy and sorrow, and love and hate, the star's versatility is taxed in giving to the screen a clear version of the theme. The work of the star is worthy of favorable attention. Her aptitude for facial expression is an element that brings out to a marked degree the sentiments of the story. Though called upon to give a variance of poses, her comportment is indicative of feeling. The settings of the picture — a dilapidated shanty in the cold North, a village hotel and an artist's quarters in New York — are well executed. The story itself, while possible, has a few improbable developments. Casting has been taken care of proficiently. Supporting the star are William Scott, Richard Cummings. Claire McDowell. Easter Walters. Nicholas Dunaew. Kate Price. Louis Fitzroy. Chance Ward. Vera Lewis. Louis Natho. Tom Bates and Benny Susslow. SYNOPSIS: Esther Anderson, discouraged at the life she has been living with her drunken stepfather and believing that she has been tricked by a faithless man, leaves the tumble-down shack that has been her home and goes to a trading post to get employment. She joins a small show troupe and after two years on the road the company returns. She again meets Dr. Jim Barnes, who she thought had lied to her. and a mutual declaration of love follows. But the leading woman of the show, jealous of Esther, accuses the girl of undue friendship with the theatrical manager. Barnes refuses to listen to explanations and Esther, broken-hearted, goes to New York, where she becomes a model for a Russian artist. Barnes, brooding over his unhappy love affair with the belle of the village, goes to New York. He finds Esther in time to save her from a loveless marriage. 3V>-\<4 Gladys Brockwell in a scene from "The Devil's Riddle," the story of a "woman who pawned her heart" (Fox).